The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a message that is currently circulating on social media platforms warning of a storm dubbed “Storm Baron” is false and should be regarded as a hoax.

“There is currently no tropical cyclone activity over the south-western Indian Ocean, and no officially recognised storm named Baron,” the weather service said today.

However, an intense low-pressure system is expected to develop over the southern parts of Mozambique in the coming days.

This system is forecast to then move further south and is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms to the north-eastern parts of the country from early morning Saturday, 10 January until Thursday 15 January.

The areas’ most likely to be affected include the escarpment and lowveld areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

The SAWS continues to closely monitor this situation and will be providing regular updates as new information becomes available. – SAnews.gov.za